Turning up when it matters: The greatest Game 7 performances in NBA history

In the NBA, nothing beats a game seven of a postseason series, as the pressure can either make or destroy a player's career.

A game seven separates the stars from the GOATs, and over the years, some of basketball's best have produced some of the most iconic displays in history.

Let's look at the highest individual scoring performances in a Game 7 situation.

Former Phoenix Suns point guard Kevin Johnson had the most incredible game of his career in game seven of the Eastern Conference Semi-finals against Houston, posting 46 points and ten assists.

Despite posting a Game 7 performance to remember, it wasn't enough to see his Phoenix team past the Houston Rockets, who would eventually go on and win the title.

NBA superstar has had many games to remember in his short NBA career, and his 46 points against the Los Angeles Clippers in game seven of the Western Conference Semi-finals is one of them.

In 45 minutes on the floor, Doncic made 17 of 30 field goal attempts, five of 11 three-point attempts, and seven of 11 free throws. Unfortunately, his historic performance was met with a loss to The Clippers.

As well as Bill Russell, Sam Jones was an integral star in the 60s glory days for the Boston Celtics. In the 1963 Eastern Division Finals game seven, Jones put up 47 points against the Cincinnati Royals.

Jones played 41 minutes, went 11 of 12 from the free throw line, and only missed nine shots in the game. Of course, Boston went on to win the 1963 NBA Championship.

In a showdown between NBA Hall of Famers Dominque Wilkins and Larry Bird, the Atlanta Hawks battled the Boston Celtics in the 1988 Eastern Conference Semi-final game seven.

Wilkins scored 47 points in 43 minutes, shooting 19-33 from the floor, ranking his performance third in highest individual points scored in a game-seven situation. Despite that, Bird and Boston got the better of Atlanta and progressed to the next round.

Kevin Durant's Game 7 performance for a depleted Brooklyn Nets team in the Eastern Conference Semi against the Milwaukee Bucks is one of history's most incredible playoff performances.

Durant put up 48 points against Giannis Antetokounmpo and The Bucks without a fully fit James Harden and an absent Kyrie Irving. Durant scored a last-second basket to tie the game, but was an inch away from winning it if his foot was behind the line. The Nets then lost in overtime.

Steph Curry's 50-point performance in game seven against the Sacramento Kings last Sunday is the highest number of individual points scored in a win-or-go-home game.

Curry made 20 of 38 attempts from the floor (52%) and seven of 18 from the three-point range (38.9%). Curry and Golden State must be their best to compete against the new-look Los Angeles Lakers.

In the 2023 NBA Playoff game between the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers, Jayson Tatum stepped like no other, producing 51 points in game seven to send Boston into the Eastern Conference Finals.

To go along with his 51 points, Tatum dished out five assists and grabbed 13 rebounds in the decisive game, setting up a matchup against Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat and breaking Steph Curry's game-seven record of 50 points.